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A West Midlands teacher has shared her secret to embarking on 13 trips abroad within a year, despite taking a significant pay cut. Claire Howard from Solihull, who stepped down from her
deputy head of sixth form role found a new lease of life by travelling extensively. "I went back to being an English teacher and on four days," said the 47 year old, explaining her
decision to reduce her workload. "I thought, I'm not just going to spend my Tuesday at home cleaning." After a birthday day-trip to Dublin opened her eyes to the
possibilities, Claire became hooked on 'extreme day trips' – short, budget-friendly adventures starting from local airports like Birmingham Airport, often completed over just 24
hours, reports Birmingham Live. READ MORE: COVENTRY CAFÉ HIT WITH ONE-STAR HYGIENE RATING URGED TO MAKE 'MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS' Claire said: "A friend of mine took me to Dublin
for the day for my birthday and doing that and realising how doable it was I saw the extreme day trip groups and joined that. I set myself a target to do 12 trips in 12 months and I did 13.
You become addicted!" she enthused in her chat with BirminghamLive. Despite earning around £400 less each month, Claire's savvy budgeting allowed her to fund her travels in 2024.
She added: "Including dropping my responsibility as deputy head of sixth form and dropping down to 4 days a week I took around a £400 a month pay cut. I want to be clear I love
teaching. I also loved being deputy head of sixth form, but my mind was filled with school all the time." Claire typically catches a late flight on Monday or the first one on Tuesday
morning and returns by teatime. She said: "The first time I did it alone I got home and felt like a female warrior. I am 47-years-old I stayed in a youth hostel, the sense of
achievement when I did it was really overwhelming." Her favourite trip was from Geneva to Chamonix due to the feeling of independence it gave her. Another highlight for her is being
able to bring her teenage children along. In 2024, Claire calculated that she spent an average of £180 per trip across all 13 trips, with her cheapest deal being a £27 return to
Paris-Beauvais. However, she advises those interested in day-tripping to be prepared to budget. "I can only do it by doing it on a budget. I have stopped spending money on things I used
to: fast fashion, cosmetics, lots of eating out" Claire stated. She added: "Unless you have a huge income then you need to be prepared to sacrifice other things in favour of
experiences. I know I am lucky to be able to do this kind of travel; it is a perk of having older children who can fend for themselves. "I am still a mum but I don't need to be
there for a 'bath-time' or to sort dinner everyday. I wanted to do the things I hadn't been able to do as a mum with small children. I have always loved travel, I just needed
to find a way to fit it as seamlessly and in a way that caused minimal impact to others. "My kids have benefitted from getting to come on trips with me." Claire also remarked on
the positive change in her mental health due to her new lifestyle, which has allowed her to relish her job and home life whilst carving out precious time for herself. "I find these
small trips mean I always have something to look forward to. I do not see the research or planning arduous at all- the preparation is half the fun."